Jackson students score above state averages on MAP test

Parents, teachers and students in the Jackson School District have earned some new bragging rights.

Data released Thursday by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education show last spring’s Missouri Assessment Program testing exceeded state averages in just about every category.

“They’re very strong scores,” said Matt Lacy, the district’s associate superintendent of curriculum, instruction and human resources.

Students were tested in four main categories: English, mathematics, science and social studies. Their four main scoring areas were below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.

This is how they stacked up against districts statewide:

• Collectively, the Jackson district scored 49 percent proficient and 19.7 percent advanced in English, above the state percentages of 43.9 percent and 19 percent, respectively.
• In math, Jackson students hit 35.5 percent proficient and 23.4 percent advanced, compared to 30.8 percent proficient and 17.8 percent advanced statewide.
• District-wide proficiency in science reached 45.6 percent and 15.2 percent advanced, while state scores were at 37.1 percent proficient and 15 percent advanced.
• In social studies, Jackson students hit 43.8 percent proficiency and 27.1 percent advanced, while their counterparts statewide tested 40 percent proficient and 23.3 percent advanced.

“Our teachers and administrators have worked very hard, and I think these scores reflect that,” Lacy said.

Overall, the scores are lower than Jackson achieved the previous year, but the math and English parts of MAP tests were new during the most recent testing period, so comparisons aren’t possible.

Because of that, the most important issue, as far as Lacy is concerned, is seeing how Jackson’s scores compare to the state’s.

“Because it’s a new test, you’re really just trying to find your way,” he said.

To add a little more confusion to the mix, MAP testing last spring was conducted under Missouri’s existing learning standards — not the new ones approved by the State Board of Education in April.

“We will not test on the new standards until next spring in ELA (English language arts) and math,” Lacy said. “Then they will phase in science and social studies.”

Science testing under the new standards will begin in the spring of the 2018-2019 school year, and social studies will begin the following year.

In the meantime, Lacy said despite the Jackson district’s performance in the most recent round of MAP testing, administrators and teachers continue looking for ways to improve and tweak the curriculum to help boost student achievement.

ljones@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3652

Pertinent address:

614 E. Adams St., Jackson, Mo.